Introduction
Witnesses Intro
The testimony of the Three and Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon is a key part to the testimonies of many members of the Church. Some even base their testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon on these 11 witnesses and their claims. As a missionary, I was instructed to teach investigators about the testimonies of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon as part of boosting the book’s credibility.
CES Letter, Page 86
Despite the attempt of the The CES Letter to character assassinate the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, it is a fact that none of them ever denied their testimonies of what they experienced.
The Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses reported different experiences, which makes their testimonies even more credible.
The Three Witnesses reported spiritual experiences including an angelic visitation. The Eight Witnesses recounted a primarily physical experience of feeling and hefting the gold plates.
Many of the witnesses later left the Church but that did not cause them to deny what they had earlier affirmed. Besides the eleven witness, Other individuals saw and felt the plates, and left their testimonies.
Paul taught “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” ( 2 Corinthians 13:1).